Revision as of 20:09, 30 September 2010

Contents

History

Naturalization records have been filed primarily in the circuit courts. In earlier years naturalization information was included in the minutes and order books of various courts along with other court matters. Eventually the papers were kept in separate volumes with indexes. You may obtain copies of declarations, petitions, and certificates by contacting the clerk's office in each Missouri county courthouse.

Availability

The Family History Library has copies of the records for some counties in the state. Check the Family History Library Catalog for naturalization records under the county and state.

St. Louis Public Library owns these Naturalization Record microfilm sets:

Index to Naturalizations, St. Louis Circuit Court, 1816-1905

Naturalization Records, St. Louis Metropolitan Area, 1805-1926

Post-1906 Records

In 1906 the Immigration and Naturalization Service (now United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) was created, forms were standardized and duplicate records were sent by the court to the INS. After 1906, most records are under the jurisdiction of a U.S. district court. To access these records, use the Genealogy Program at www.uscis.gov. You may also search the Family History Library Catalog for Missouri naturalization records, or contact the National Archives—Central Plains Region (Kansas City). The Archives maintains records from the U.S. Eastern District Court, 1907 to 1941, and the Western District Court, 1906 to 1924.